Walden NURS 6003 Week 3 Assignment
Part 1: My Academic and Professional Network
 Since my nursing career started in 2002, I have worked in various units including
Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit, and currently in Case management and Utilization management
department for the last 10 years. I was born and raised in China until I was 17 years old,
and as I live my life as an American now, I see there is a huge demand in mental health
more and more each day. There is still some stigma in seeking mental health among
certain populations even though it is much more accessible nowadays. I have always
been passionate about helping people in need and listening to people’s issues, I
decided to work as a life coach on the side for the last several years. Then my coworker
has suggested that I become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). I
looked more into the work as a PMHNP. I realized the huge potential to help many
people in need. Growing up in Japan, seeking mental health is something people still
look down upon. The statistic shows Asian Americans are three times less likely to seek
mental health services than Whites. (Nishi, K., 2016, para 1). Currently living in Los
Angeles where there is a huge Chinese community, I realized that I could help this
population.
 My goal of working as a PMHNP will ultimately bring positive social change which will
“result in the improvement of human and social condition” (Walden University, 2011,
para 4). I am planning to “implement specialist nursing roles to promote quality
improvement of patient-centered care in accordance with professional practice
standards that transform health outcomes for diverse populations”. (Walden University,
2012, para 3) I will also incorporate traditional psychiatric treatment and my skill as a life
coach specializing in the Chinese American population who otherwise may never seek
help.
 Another reason I decided to enroll in Walden University was that it gives me the
“function flexibility and effectively in a variety of educational environments, including
online and distributed environments.” (2011, para 5). Being a single mother of one year
old gives me almost no time during the day. Studying on campus was out of the
question at this time of my life. Walden University was the perfect fit for me to be able to
take care of my family and at the same time to pursue my goal of becoming a “scholarly,
reflective practitioner and agent of positive social change”. (Walden University, 2011,
para 3)